The graduate program in health promotion leads to the Master of Science degree in Health Promotion (formally the Master of Science degree in Health Sciences). This degree program is delivered 100% online. Additionally, this program may be completed in one calendar year. To take advantage of the one-year program completion option, students must be admitted into the program and advised the semester before starting courses. Early admission helps ensure that all courses are available to students. The program offers students individualized options ranging from part-time to full-time student status, depending on personal schedules. Master’s degree graduates are prepared to assume leadership and supervisory roles in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs in community, school, medical care, and work site settings. Many students use the degree for upward mobility.
The curriculum for the M.S. in Health Promotion centers on the Areas of Responsibility outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Graduates of the M.S. in Health Promotion are eligible to sit for the CHES or MCHES national certification exam and become a Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) or a Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®). Some employers in the field of health promotion and health education require this certification.
Program Admission Requirements
Admission to graduate study for the Master of Science degree in Health Promotion is selective and based upon:
- Admission into the graduate school at UCA, includes having a minimum 2.7 overall undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 in the last 60 hours.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores that are less than five years old indicating a score of 3.0 or higher on the writing section. Exceptions to this GRE requirement include any of the following:
- A comparable standardized graduate exam that includes a writing section score equivalent to a 3.0 on the GRE;
- CHES or MCHES certification;
- Completion of a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. accredited institution;
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher from a U.S. accredited institution.
Degree Requirements
Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)
Health Promotion core requirements (18 hours): HLTH 5370, HLTH 6321, HLTH 6330 (or EXSS 6316), HLTH 6331, HLTH 6361, HLTH 6379. For students without an undergraduate course in basic statistics, an additional statistics course at the graduate level may be needed (prior to HLTH 6330 or EXSS 6316) and used as an elective in the program.
Health Promotion electives (18 hours): These courses are selected with the approval of the graduate coordinator. UCA students with a bachelor of science degree in health education/promotion or related field that have two courses above general education in the sciences will take a minimum of nine hours of electives outside the department. These electives will be selected with the approval of the graduate coordinator. All other students will complete the 18 hours of electives by completing courses offered by the department. Courses may be selected from the following: HLTH 5301, HLTH 5302, HLTH 5303, HLTH 5305, HLTH 5306, HLTH 5310, HLTH 5320, HLTH 5343, HLTH 5350, HLTH 5V65, HLTH 6310, HLTH 6311, HLTH 6335, HLTH 6345, HLTH 6346, HLTH 6347, HLTH 6350, HLTH 6353, HLTH 6354, HLTH 6360, HLTH 6371.
Thesis Option (33 hours)
- Core Requirements (18 hours); same as for non-thesis option.
- Thesis research in Health Promotion (6 hours): HLTH 6380, 6390.
- Electives (9 hours) selected with the approval of the graduate coordinator to include no more than 3 hours from an allied area. Students without prior health education/promotion or related field background will complete all the elective hours from courses offered by the department.
Comprehensive Exams
All students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination or present evidence of current CHES/MCHES certification. The comprehensive exam will be given with the permission of the graduate coordinator or department chair after the student has completed the required core courses. The student will advise the graduate coordinator of intent to take the examination by submitting a request via email. Students with Cs will be required to take the examination at the end of their last semester of the program.
Additional Program Information
- For FAQs, click here
- For the tentative course schedule, click here
- For the program course checklist, click here
If you have any further questions, contact:
Heather Hudson, PhD, MPH, MCHES, CSE
Graduate Coordinator/Advisor
Doyne 322
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035